CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Accusations that Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Bridget McCafferty lied to federal investigators cost her the endorsements of her party and her peers, and Tuesday they claimed her judicial career, too.

"It's a testament to the people of Cuyahoga County," Astrab said as results rolled in Tuesday night. "Hopefully this is the trend of future elections, people researching their candidates rather than relying on last names and party affiliations."

Astrab added that given the circumstances, he was disturbed by how many votes McCafferty managed to get -- more than at least two other candidates running for judicial seats.

View full sizeMichael Astrab, candidate for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge

Federal prosecutors say McCafferty accepted political and financial support from former County Auditor Frank Russo and former Democratic Party boss Jimmy Dimora in exchange for judicial favors.

Russo pleaded guilty to 21 corruption-related charges and faces nearly 22 years in prison. Dimora is charged with 26 crimes and is scheduled for trial next year.

Charges against Russo accuse McCafferty of continuing a criminal trial to free up attorney Joseph O'Malley so he could help Russo prepare for a newspaper article critical of his office.

Russo also asked for her help in a case in which an employee of his, Anthony DeBaltzo, was involved in a lawsuit over a loan, according to the charges.

Dimora called on McCafferty, too, on behalf of construction executive Steven Pumper, when a lawsuit against his company was moving slowly, prosecutors say.

Letter Perfect Group Inc. sued Pumper's company, D-A-S Construction, over work at Browns Stadium. The case was resolved after McCafferty held a settlement conference, according to court records.

McCafferty, who was first elected to the bench in 1999, was arrested in September and pleaded not guilty in federal court. She was released on $50,000 bond and has been on paid administrative leave -- collecting a $121,350 salary while a retired judge handles her docket. Her trial is scheduled for Sept. 12, 2011.

McCafferty was endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party and dozens of local labor unions before the May primary, despite already being connected to the corruption probe. But after McCafferty's indictment, the Democractic Party took her name off the sample ballot mailed to voters.

Astrab received higher marks than his opponent from a set of local lawyer groups who rate judicial candidates.

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